The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-11-19

her mistake. Well, the poor girl was
heart-broken 20 think she had made
mistake-for she takes great pride in
her work-and then 10 have this on
top broke her all up. / happened 10
come out soon aftcrward and she told
me about H. The man was given his
time, and that was the last complaint
/ ever heard from Annie. But 20 out
and see her yourself
did 50.
The stock-yards are situated about a
mile and half west Of the main yard,
although an intcrlacing chain Of tracks
extends the entire distance, filled most
Of the time with putting engines and
moving cars. Out beyond the gigantic
elevators. where is stored away the
product Of the Northwestern prairies,
the tracks narrow rs they leave the
yard proper aud stretch away 10 the
stOck-yards.
IL was a lowering day in August
when | walked out along the track.
Out in the open. like brown dot in a
mass Of black spider-threads. lay
Annic's switch "shanty;" mark for
biting winter winds and scorching
summer suns, from which its thin sides
would seem 10 afford but poor protec-
ton. A cold north wind came sweep
ing across the mar-hy valley, bringing
with it suspicion Of rain. 1t was one
Of those days peculiar 10 the western
shore of Lake Michigan, where the flop
Of n weather yane changes the dog-day
heat 10 autumn's chill
Over TO the northeast the spires and
cupolas of the crowded city stood out
against the cloudy sky. Back and be-
yond the brown shanty IA small grove
Of sccond-growth trees climb the
abrupt hill. leaving the little strip Of
meadow beneath 10 look out for itself.
The door Of the switch shanty stands
open. Inside young woman was
busily engaged with knitting work.
In answer 10 u question if this ia
switch Annie, a bright, comcly face,
bronzcd by summer sun 10 "a color
which an Atlantic City bathcr would
envy, is projected from behind the
door, and an Affirmative reply. accom-
panied by smile that reveals two
rows Of white, even teeth is given.
1t was the first glimpse of sunshine
that day.
| had pictured tall, raw-boncd,
stolid-fcatured amazon, in whom mus
cular development had checked all
,tbnr \ f,un1 a ,,Iu,,, ,,,n.I,, ,.nuno,
woman, with Sunshiny face and
modest manner. Clcar-hcadcd, intelli-
gent, quick-wittcd, bst calm and self
reliant--altogcthcran enjoyable picture
of strong. healthy womanhood. In
stature Annie is little above average
height, with plump, wcll-formed
figure and "A shapcly head firmly poised
on pair of shoulders duchess might
envy A broad, straw hat coqucttishly
pinned up on one side shades the round
face. The hands which ply the knit
ting-ncedlcs are brown and callouscd.
but shapcly A neat dress of dark
coors with broad-toed, low-hccled
walking shoes, built for service and not
show, completed the picture.
At the time of my visit Annie was re-
ceiving call from her uncle. himself Il
railroad man, and To whom | am in
dcbtcd for many facts in relation to
this remarkable girl.
After the first slight reserve had
worn or Annie talked freely in regard
to herself and her work.
"lIow long have been throwing
switchcsP' she said. in reply To ques-
tion. about twelve years. How did
| commence Well, when father was
first given this place there were only
two switches to look after Then bus
mess began increasing and more
switches were put in. That made it
hard for him, but he got along until he
had To be out nights. OF course then
he had to get some sleep in the day
time. So my sister, four years older
than |, used to come out and tend the
switches when father was asleep. Aft
crward, she went to learn telegraph
ing, and when ] came from school |
used TO help father. | was spry and |
guess ! learned quick; any way, | gave
good satisfaction, and was finally put
on rs an assistant when the number Of
switches increased At first | received
S25 month. then $50 and s35; one
month | received forty, but was after
ward put back To thirty-tivc. That was
my wages until father was killed.
Then they gave me his place. now
get SiO month. with house rent and
fuel My hours are from six in the
morning until six in the evening. In
the summer have every other Sunday
off, but in the fall and winter must
work every sunday
You do not have much time for rec
reationP"
"No; that's the hardest thing about
the work When see every one else
going out Sunday To hasc good time
and have To work. it breaks my
heart" The words were followed by q
CHEEKY laugh that little indicated
damaged anatomy.
Do not imagine all this conversation
was carried on unintcrruptcdly. All
the time Annie was g)ancing M aud
down the track. keeping u sharp look
out for trains, while her nimble fingers
piled the knitting-needlcs on what was
To be warm milton for winter wear.
Suddenly, IN the midst of sentence,
she would start up, seize pair of